Zinc amino acid halide complex with cysteine

Abstract

Provided are compositions, e.g., oral and personal care products, comprising (i) a zinc amino acid halide complex, and (ii) cysteine in free or in orally or cosmetically acceptable salt form, together with methods of making and using the same.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition comprising (i) a zinc (amino acid or trialkyl glycine) halide complex and (ii) cysteine in free or in orally or cosmetically acceptable salt form. 
     
     
       2. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the zinc (amino acid or tralkyl glycine) halide is formed from precursors, wherein the precursors are a zinc ion source, an amino acid source, and a halide source, wherein the halide source can be part of the zinc ion source, the amino acid source, or a halogen acid. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the zinc ion source is at least one of zinc oxide, zinc chloride, zinc carbonate, zinc nitrate, zinc citrate, and zinc phosphate. 
     
     
       4. The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the amino acid source is at least one of a basic amino acid, lysine, arginine, and glycine. 
     
     
       5. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the trialkyl glycine is a C 1 -C 4  alkyl glycine or trimethyl glycine. 
     
     
       6. The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the zinc amino acid halide is made by combining zinc oxide with an amino acid hydrohalide. 
     
     
       7. The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the zinc amino acid halide has the formula Zn(Amino Acid) 2 Hal 2  or Zn(Amino Acid) 3 Hal 2 , wherein Zn is a divalent zinc ion and Hal is a halide ion. 
     
     
       8. The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the zinc amino acid halide complex is [Zn(C 6 H 14 N 2 O 2 ) 2 Cl] + Cl − . 
     
     
       9. The composition according to  claim 1  which upon dilution with water, provides a precipitate comprising zinc oxide in complex with cysteine, and optionally additionally comprising zinc oxide, zinc carbonate, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       10. The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the total amount of zinc present in the composition is 0.2 to 8% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       11. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the cysteine is cysteine hydrohalide, optionally cysteine hydrochloride. 
     
     
       12. The composition according to  claim 1  which is an antiperspirant or deodorant product, further comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       13. A method of killing bacteria, reducing perspiration, and/or reducing body odor comprising applying to skin an effective amount of the composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
       14. The composition of  claim 1  which is a personal care product selected from liquid hand soap, body wash, dermal lotions, dermal creams, and dermal conditioners further comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       15. A method of killing bacteria, treating or reducing the incidence of acne or topical skin infections, or to provide a visual signal when washing, comprising washing the skin with water and an effective amount of the composition of  claim 14 . 
     
     
       16. The composition of  claim 1  which is an oral care product, further comprising an orally acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       17. A method to reduce and inhibit acid erosion of the enamel, clean the teeth, reduce bacterially-generated biofilm and plaque, reduce gingivitis, inhibit tooth decay and formation of cavities, and/or reduce dentinal hypersensitivity comprising applying an effective amount of a composition according to  claim 16  to the oral cavity of a person in need thereof.